Veg Out

Fairly new to the West Seattle scene is Blackbird Bistro, where brunch is particularly pleasing and vegetarian options—most starring locally-made Field Roast, an animal free grain-meat product that makes soy sausage seem like Styrofoam—are thoughtful and plenty. The mushroom and Field Roast gravy served up with the house-made jack cheese-and-jalapeno studded buttermilk biscuits would be even better if it were thicker and heartier, but the biscuits are so good you'll probably order the dish again regardless. Unless, that is, you decide to go for the scrambled egg sandwich, which puts caramelized onion, spinach (local and organic), spicy tomato sauce, and nutty, sharp New York cheddar on a warmed-up potato baguette. You can get your sausage and eggs with that same Field Roast if you'd like (your meat-eating friends will have Pike Place Market–based Uli's sausage); the eggs will be cage-free and most likely comply with your locally-focused diet. Blackbird feels like it could be in a mellow small town, and the service reflects that vibe. Front-of-house staff are young, casual, and colorful, and the mood of the open, airy dining room encourages you to say yes to that second bloody Mary or third cup of Caffé Vita joe. Brunch served Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.